The Sierra Nevada Conservancy would provide funding in the amount of $35,000 to the Sierra Business Council to develop a comprehensive workforce development initiative to meet the needs of on-the-ground forest and watershed restoration work. The initiative will assess relevant workforce programs, and identify program gaps. A working group consisting of representatives from workforce services agencies, educational entities, state and federal departments, industry organizations and other relevant entities will be convened to identify the funding and programs needed to recruit and train the workers needed to assure a robust, sustainable forest restoration/wood processing Regional economy.